A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning automated permitting for residential clean
Page 1, Line 102energy technology projects.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill requires counties with a population of more than 5,000 residents in unincorporated areas and municipalities with a population of more than 5,000 residents to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would implement an automated residential solar permitting platform (platform). The platform would automatically review an application for a residential solar panel installation and issue a permit for the residential solar panel installation project if the project is code-compliant and meets certain criteria.
The platform utilized by a county or municipality must be used for at least 75% of the residential solar panel installation permit applications submitted to the local jurisdiction. The platform will only be used for solar panel installations that will be installed on existing residential buildings, have a maximum capacity of 200 amperes main service disconnect, and provide electrical power to single-family or 2-family residential property.
A county or municipality required to implement the platform must notify the Colorado energy office (office) of its compliance with the requirements of the bill and submit an annual report to the office related to the use of the platform and the type of software used.
Counties and municipalities are also eligible to receive funding and technical assistance from the office to implement platforms.
The office is required to submit a report to the general assembly related to the use of automated permitting software for other residential electrification projects, such as electric vehicle charging stations and heat pump space heaters, and the costs and benefits of implementing the automated software. The office must submit the report by July 1, 2026.
The state electrical board in the department of regulatory agencies is also required to implement a platform for use in its issuance and review of electrical permits related to residential solar panel installations. The board must also notify the office of its compliance with adopting the platform and submit an annual report to the office related to the board's use of the platform.
This Unofficial Version Includes Committee
Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-38.5-119, amend (2)(b), (3)(b), (3)(c), and (4) as follows:
Page 2, Line 324-38.5-119. Streamlined solar permitting and inspection
Page 2, Line 4grant program - creation - eligibility - fund created - gifts, grants, or
Page 2, Line 5donations - reporting - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 6(b) "Automated permitting and inspection software" or
Page 2, Line 7"automated permitting software" means a web-based portal that
Page 3, Line 1implements automated plan review, verifies local code compliance, and
Page 3, Line 2issues permits for electric power systems that is developed by a national
Page 3, Line 3organization focused on clean energy research, development, and deployment in collaboration with building and safety industry experts.
Page 3, Line 4(3) The grant program is created to allow an authority having
Page 3, Line 5jurisdiction to apply to the office for a grant to help provide
Page 3, Line 6implementation support to the authority having jurisdiction for
Page 3, Line 7implementation of automated permitting software. In administering the grant program, the office shall:
Page 3, Line 8(b) Develop procedures to award a grant to an authority having
Page 3, Line 9jurisdiction for expenses expected to be incurred in adopting automated
Page 3, Line 10permitting software, including necessary expenses for staff time,
Page 3, Line 11information technology, training, installation, third-party consulting,
Page 3, Line 12ongoing maintenance for up to three years after the grantee
Page 3, Line 13implements the automated permitting software, and hardware or equipment;
Page 3, Line 14(c) Not award money to an authority having jurisdiction for:
Page 3, Line 15(I) Expected costs associated with software other than automated permitting software;
Page 3, Line 16(II) Activities occurring before being awarded grant program
Page 3, Line 17money;
or more than one hundred eighty days after receiving grant program money,Page 3, Line 18(III) Food
and(IV) Fines or penalties;
Page 3, Line 19(V) Advertising; or
Page 3, Line 20(VI) Permit processing fees, including fees charged by the
Page 3, Line 21operator of automated permitting software;
Page 4, Line 1(4) (a) The office may use up to nine percent of the money in the
Page 4, Line 2fund to
coverPage 4, Line 3(b) The office may use up to nine percent of the money
Page 4, Line 4remaining in the fund as of September 1, 2025, to pay for the
Page 4, Line 5direct and indirect costs that the office incurs in administering the grant program.
Page 4, Line 6SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 4, Line 7takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 4, Line 8ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 4, Line 9that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 4, Line 10of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 4, Line 11act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 4, Line 12effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 4, Line 13November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.